Star2025-08-14的目錄

Nedbank splashes out all-cash deal in acquiring digital payments solutions service Nedbank Group plans to acquire 100% of fintech innovator iKhokha in an all-cash deal of about R1.65 billion, a significant move in Nedbank’s strategy to deepen its support for small and medium-sized enterprises through digital innovation and inclusive financial services. Founded in 2012, iKhokha has become a leading partner to many thousands of South African entrepreneurs, and shares the market with competitors such as Yoco and Capitec Pay. The company, founded by Matt Putman, Ramsay Daly, and Clive Putman, provides card machines, digital payment solutions, and business tools to SMEs, processing north of R20 billion annually in digital payments and other services. “This acquisition is a natural evolution of our existing relationship with iKhokha, and we are incredibly excited…

Professional services firm, EY, has reiterated the warning that the newly imposed 30% levy on South African exports to the United States could cause around 100 000 domestic job losses. South Africa faces a 30% rate, alongside peers like India (25%), Brazil (50%), Taiwan (20%), Switzerland (39%), Canada (35%), Mexico (18%), and Vietnam (22%). The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 41% on imports from 69 countries and effective from early August, will add to existing duties under Section 232 and the Inflation Reduction Act, overriding prior exemptions. According to the US Trade Representative, these measures signal a long-term pivot toward supply chain realignment and domestic reindustrialisation, unlikely to reverse soon. In its South African Macroeconomic Outlook for August released on Wednesday, EY said the agriculture and automotive sectors were expected…

For many entrepreneurs, growth is seen as a clear marker of success. However, for South African SMEs, expanding too quickly or for the wrong reasons can slow momentum and dangerously overstretch resources. Growth shouldn’t be a leap of faith, but rather a strategic move grounded in data, operational readiness, and sound financial planning. Every business owner wants to grow, but not every business is ready. We’ve seen entrepreneurs double their stock, hire additional staff, or open new branches after just a few strong months - only to find themselves overwhelmed. Growth is exciting, but it’s also costly. Without the right foundation in place, it can unravel the very progress you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Merchant Capital works closely with entrepreneurs and SMEs to support sustainable growth and has outlined…

Capitec Bank Holdings’ directors said they expect headline earnings per share (HEPS) to increase between 22% and 27% in the six months to August 31, which represents another strong performance compared with its competitor banks. The bank that pioneered paperless banking in South Africa from 2001 said in a trading statement on Wednesday that HEPS would likely be between 6 764 cents and 7 041 cents per share, compared to the 5 544 cents per share for the comparative six months ended August 31, 2024. The growth in HEPS keeps Capitec among the fastest growing banks in South Africa in terms of earnings. Nedbank, for instance, reported 6% growth in HEPS for its six months to June 30, while Standard Bank reported 4% growth in HEPS in its year to…

The State continues to protect its witnesses by keeping its cards close to its chest, refusing to give the defence names of the unknown additional witnesses and their statements in the murder cases of South African rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. The friends were shot dead in Florida Road, Durban, outside Wish Restaurant in February 2023. Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lindani Ndimande, Siyanda Myeza, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande are accused of the murders; additionally, they are facing 10 other charges, including attempted murder. During the pre-trial conference at the Durban High Court yesterday morning, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Lawrence Gcaba told the court that the State made it clear from the onset that they were not going to give the defence the…

The high-stakes fraud trial against businessman Rushil Singh took an unexpected turn yesterday when a key prosecution witness delivered testimony that appeared to contradict earlier claims, casting doubt on the foundation of the State’s case. Appearing before Judge Venter at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, the witness – who had submitted three affidavits detailing how Singh and his late sister, Nishani Singh, allegedly defrauded Investec Bank – conceded under cross-examination that there may have been no intention to commit fraud. Rushil Singh and Nishani Singh were accused of submitting fraudulent bank guarantees, allegedly issued by Stanbic Bank Ghana, to secure more than R150 million in credit facilities from Investec between 2017 and 2022. The pair were arrested in August 2024 and have been in custody ever since. Nishani,…

In a shocking discovery, a pair of severed human hands and the tongue of an animal were found on the roadside outside a primary school in Trenance Park, Verulam, yesterday. Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said the discovery was made after officers responded to a call from a paper delivery worker who reported seeing animal or human limbs wrapped in a bloody white cloth. “Upon arrival on Oregan Street at 12:12pm, reaction officers discovered two human hands near the boundary wall of a primary school, with an animal tongue found nearby. Reaction Officers are currently conducting a search of the area for a human body,” said Balram. A query was sent to the KwaZulu-Natal police and a reply was not received at the time of publication.…

Despite a stern warning from the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Operation Dudula has vowed to continue with its anti-illegal immigrants campaign, which has been preventing alleged undocumented foreigners from accessing healthcare assistance at public healthcare facilities across the country. The movement’s hardline stance comes a day after the members of the organisation met with Motsoaledi on Monday. On Tuesday, Motsoaledi, while speaking to SABC News, expressed deep concern over Operation Dudula’s campaign, which has received criticism from the government and civil society organisations. He stated that his gripe arises because the campaign might lead to eligible South Africans being turned away. “I responded to them (Operation Dudula) in two ways. Firstly, I want the country to know that the issue of civil registration is a problem in the…

South Africa’s second quarter 2025 jobs data has triggered strong criticism from political parties and organised labour, with calls for urgent economic reforms, job creation programmes, and government accountability. They have all warned that the country’s unemployment crisis is worsening in real terms. “Jobs give dignity and independence, but the current pace of growth is far too slow to make a dent in South Africa’s unemployment crisis,” said Free SA spokesperson Reuben Coetzer. “We cannot pat ourselves on the back for adding 0.3% more jobs when our working-age population is growing at the same rate, or faster. In real terms, we are standing still, while millions remain jobless.” Free SA argued that the Western Cape’s recent rise to become the province with the second highest number of employed people, overtaking…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said the South African government must legalise prostitution, arguing that sex workers deserve protection, dignity, and workers’ rights. Speaking at the EFF Women’s Day rally in Secunda, Mpumalanga, at the weekend, Malema said police abuse and discrimination against sex workers must come to an end. “We are saying to the South African government, you must legalise prostitution. No one is going to be raped by police in the name of being a prostitute. And when she goes to open a case, they can’t open a case because they say this is a prostitute,” he said. Malema stressed that women must be protected “in every space we occupy,” adding that sexual violence happens in all sectors of society. “Women get raped at church, women…

Range Rover has lifted the veil off the new Range Rover Sport SV Carbon to complete the dynamic luxury performance flagship line-up that will make its debut next week at Range Rover House during Monterey Car Week in California. The rest of the range includes the Range Rover Sport SV and SV Black. Carbon fibre detailing The standard Forged Carbon Exterior Pack gets stealthy carbon fibre detailing, including around the Active Quad Exhausts, while a Twill Carbon finish, with its distinctive diagonal weave pattern, and exposed carbon fibre bonnet are also available as an option. A colour palette includes four options in addition to a curated choice from the SV Premium Palette. Engine Its beating heart under the bonnet is a 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 mild hybrid engine with 467kW…

Orlando Pirates are not where they want to be in the Betway Premiership, and new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is largely to blame for that. Pirates lost 2–1 to Marumo Gallants on Tuesday, their second defeat in succession after losing the season opener to Sekhukhune United. That was not supposed to happen. Pirates were expected to challenge for the title, but they have failed to get off the mark as anticipated. The club invested heavily in the team, returning to Marbella, Spain, for their pre-season camp for the third year in a row. And that’s not all – they also strengthened their squad with new signings, including Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, Oswin Appollis, and Kamogelo Sebelele. The new players were expected to take time to settle in, but such was Ouaddou’s…

When coach Molefi Ntseki built his Bafana Bafana squad for the CHAN tournament around free agents, he knew he was taking a risk. These players could have either lost their passion for the game, or used the platform as a stepping stone to secure their next moves. Luckily for Ntseki, it appears he has backed the right horse so far. His players are showing real hunger, having collected four points from two games. While both the win and the draw were the result of a team playing cohesively, several individuals have stood out. Striker Thabiso Kutumela has enjoyed a dream tournament so far – scoring in the first game, then assisting and scoring in the second. Kutumela was at Richards Bay last season after being released by Mamelodi Sundowns, but…

“AS a group we are so humble to talk up other players that we don’t give credit to our own players.” This was one of Shukri Conrad’s first statements after being appointed Proteas Test coach just over two years ago now. And for those still wondering what Conrad meant, he doubled down with: “It's time we drool over our own players.” Being one of the more savvy coaches going around, who certainly knows how to “play the media game”, Conrad was sending out a dual message. The first was, of course, for the Fourth Estate to begin backing his young team and processes whilst creating local heroes for the South African public to support. Concurrently, Conrad was also speaking to his own players. Filling them with the belief that they…

The Competition Tribunal hearing concerning the acquisition of the longstanding South African company Barloworld by Newco has ignited discussions around empowerment for historically disadvantaged persons as well as the company’s impending delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). As the details unfolded on Wednesday, tensions rose over the implications of this significant transaction. Former executives in Barloworld are acquiring Barloworld through Entsha Proprietary Limited while Saudi Zahid Group is the other shareholder in Newco. With Newco intending to bump up its shareholding in the South African company, Barloworld will ultimately be delisted from the JSE. The merging parties through their legal representative told the Competition Tribunal hearing on Wednesday that the delisting of Barloworld was a major condition for the implementation of an Employee Share-Ownership Program (ESOP). After delisting, a…

In the quiet chaos of South Africa’s townships, where digital connectivity holds the promise of economic liberation, an insidious force has taken root, one borrowed from the dusty construction trenches but now entrenched in the corridors of fibre broadband rollouts. Enter the so-called “construction mafia”, a term once synonymous with hijacked building projects, now creeping dangerously into the ICT sector. At first glance, the broadband industry and concrete mixers seem worlds apart. But dig a little deeper, into the pavements where fibre must be trenched, the poles where wireless antennas must rise, and you’ll find eerie parallels. Where there is trenching, there is access to lucrative contracts. And where there is access to capital and opportunity, there is a criminal element lurking with a clipboard and a demand: “Give us…

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) has raised alarm over the potential implications of a sweeping 30% tariff imposed by the United States on South African exports. Sacci on Wednesday said this initiative poses a significant threat not only to the nation's economy but also to the sustainability of long-term business relations between the two countries. Sacci said the backward linkage effects for the South African economy of changing foreign trade relations will be larger than the initial effect on trade export volumes. The type (categories) of exports and the sectors affected will also play a role in how it impacts economic growth and employment in South Africa. This comes as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected South Africa’s real economic growth for 2025 and 2026…

For local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), there is a constant pressure to do more with less, which means finding smart ways to cut costs, save time and boost productivity. In this context, technology is one of the most powerful levers available to business owners. When used effectively, digital tools can automate manual or repetitive tasks, enhance customer service, and free up valuable capacity to focus on growth. Despite this fact, less than 30% of South African SMEs have adopted digital tools. Whether this is due to cost concerns or uncertainty about which solutions will deliver the most impact, the slow uptake could severely undermine local competitiveness in the long run. The good news is that many affordable, practical options are available to help SMEs begin their digital journey. Here…

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa has announced positive developments regarding South Africa's power supply, revealing that the national electricity grid has reached a commendable state of stability in recent weeks. With the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) exceeding 61% over the past fortnight, and unplanned outages significantly reduced to approximately 10 000 megawatts (MW)—down from 13 500 MW during the same period last year—the national utility, Eskom, is generating more electricity than needed. This prominent achievement has led to a substantial decrease in expenditures on diesel, with R5 billion spent on diesel compared to R13.5bn for the same period in 2023. "We are within touching distance of resolving load shedding, I will come back and share with the rest of the country very soon about that," Ramokgopa said on Wednesday.…

Taylor Swift has revealed her next project, confirming that her 12th studio album will be titled The Life of a Showgirl. She announced it during an appearance on New Heights, the podcast hosted by her boyfriend, Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce. Speculation began earlier this week when a countdown clock appeared on Swift’s official website. The timer reached zero at 12.12am ET (6.12am SAST) on Tuesday leading to the launch of pre-orders for the album in vinyl, CD and cassette formats. While no official release date has been confirmed, product descriptions indicate that physical copies will be shipped before October 13, hinting at an early October launch. The official cover art and tracklist have not yet been revealed. Current pre-order listings show a placeholder design featuring a blurry…

Deputy National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya’s interim interdict barring former high-ranking police member Patricia Morgan-Mashale from publishing defamatory statements on social media, accusing him of corruption, was overturned. Sibiya turned to the Bloemfontein High Court for a final interdict after he had obtained the interim interdict against her in November last year. Morgan-Mashale defended her actions by stating that her posts regarding Sibiya are the truth, in the public interest, and what she had said about him was, in any event, already public knowledge. The court, in discharging the interim interdict against her, said Sibiya has failed to disprove these defences conclusively. The court said he has an alternative remedy, as he can file a summons against her for damages and then prove defamation. Morgan-Mashale, who describes herself as…

The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria has expressed its concern regarding the conduct of the Legal Practice Council (LPC) after it obtained an urgent order to suspend an attorney who has been practising for 37 years, without doing a proper investigation into the allegations levelled against him. The suspension obtained by the LPC against Wynand Naude and his law firm Naude Inc, was pending an application to finally strike his name from the roll of attorneys. “The way in which the LPC conducted this matter is to be deprecated. A proper consideration of the facts would have made plain that there was no basis to apply to court for the suspension of Mr. Naude from the roll of attorneys and conveyancers,” Judge Anthony Millar said. Naude turned to the court to…

“You played no active role in the trafficking and kidnapping of Joshlin Smith,” were the words from Judge Nathan Erasmus as he delivered his much-anticipated judgment on the indemnity of the Section 204 witness Laurentia Lombaard. The judgment was delivered in the Western Cape High Court. Lombaard was the state’s star witness during the trial of the missing green-eyed girl from Middelpos in Saldanha. Lombaard was initially arrested and charged alongside Kelly Smith, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn for the kidnapping of Joshlin. However, months after her arrest, Lombaard opted to become a Section 204 witness for the State, providing key evidence that helped secure the convictions of the trio. Her lawyer, Advocate Eben van Tonder submitted that while there were some minor discrepancies found during her testimony,…

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza yesterday urged South African women to ensure their deliberations on the theme of the P20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit were from their perspective. Speaking at the P20 Women’s Parliament in Cape Town, Didiza said women should make sure that the G20 Summit of Heads of State and Government not only speaks about the economy, the environment, and other issues, but must also talk to them. “So as you engage with the P20 theme from the women’s perspective, I’m sure that you will be able to deliberate on those issues, so that when you host the other women a day before that Speakers’ Summit, you'll be able to say, as South African women, not as ANC, PAC, EFF, but collectively as women of South Africa, we can…

The African National Congress (ANC) has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of seeking to dismantle South Africa’s transformation policies, which the ANC says have brought tangible change to the lives of the majority. The party has called on all beneficiaries of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) to defend the gains made under democracy. This comes after the DA announced a set of reform proposals aimed at empowering state-owned entities (SOEs), which it claims offer a better alternative to B-BBEE, employment equity, and the Expropriation Act, policies the party insists must be scrapped. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg, DA leader John Steenhuisen said the three laws are major obstacles to economic growth. “B-BBEE and racial quotas have failed, and together with expropriation without compensation, create an environment that deters…

Suzuki sales have been a revelation in the last year or so, having cemented their second place in overall sales with continuing strong performances. We recently had their best-selling Swift on test and thought it a good idea to have a closer look at their second most popular car, the Suzuki Fronx. If you’re wondering about the name, Fronx is derived from two terms. The first is “Frontier”, which refers to both the way in which the vehicle crosses a frontier for Suzuki in this market segment and how its design crosses a frontier between SUV and coupe, and the second term is “X”, pointing to the crossover nature of the car. Exterior Built in India, the Fronx is certainly one of the better-looking SUVs on the road with some…

Tata is returning to the South African passenger vehicle market after a six-year hiatus, and the products on offer may surprise you. During its previous 15-year stint on the local market, Tata primarily sold variations of its Indica hatchback, which was a back-to-basics vehicle that epitomised no-frills motoring. The Indian carmaker’s range has since been modernised, and now offers a full line-up of crossover and SUV models, some with striking designs that could turn heads on our streets. The new Tata passenger car range will reportedly be imported by Motus, a retail giant that also represents popular brands such as Hyundai, Kia, and Renault in South Africa. This is not related to the Tata commercial vehicle operation, which never exited our market and which continues to trade under Tata International…

The Springbok Women plan to ride the momentum from their recent top performances into the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which starts next weekend in England. The South Africans will take on Brazil in their opening match on August 24, coming off the high of beating a Black Ferns XV in their second match at Athlone Stadium. The Bok Women are currently in camp in Johannesburg before they jet off to the United Kingdom. In Group A, they will also face Italy and France. The Bok Women have had four tough matches – two against second-ranked Canada and two against the Black Ferns XV – over the past month and a half in preparation for the World Cup. The Tests against Canada were rather one-sided but gave the Boks a clear…

PROTEAS Women’s all-rounder, Nadine de Klerk, has described the eight years playing for South Africa as a rollercoaster ride, filled with many lows and highs along the road. De Klerk, 25, made her international debut in 2017, at the tender age of 17, and has mostly been playing international cricket since then. In those eight years, De Klerk has described being dropped from the team as the lowest point in her career. However, having played in two consecutive ICC Women’s T20 World Cup finals in the last two years, De Klerk told Independent Media that those two games are the highest highs of her career and that they overshadow all the negatives in her career. “It’s crazy to think that it’s been eight years; it doesn’t even feel that long,…

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Parks Tau, has announced the revival of the Automotive Production Development Programme (APDP) in a bid to offset the impact of 30% tariffs imposed by the United States on South African imports. The programme seeks to increase local content by 5%, a change that could unlock R30 billion in new procurement for the industry, more than the R4.4bn US export market. Tau was speaking on the opening day of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) 2025 show on Wednesday. “As the cornerstone of our manufacturing economy and contributing 5.2% to GDP and 22.6% of industrial output, this industry faces intersecting challenges that demand urgent collaboration,” Tau said. “Yet within these challenges lie transformative opportunities to redefine and leverage…

South Africa’s renewable energy sector is scaling rapidly. From wheeled solar capacity serving Amazon and Tronox Mineral Sands to battery-packed IPP projects delivering reliable power at peak demand, this transformation is both technical and structural. However, alongside the deployment of solar PV and battery systems, a more deliberate transformation is underway: the advancement of female leaders across the energy value chain. In both public and private companies operating in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) spaces, leadership remains predominantly male with some progress in middle management. There are very few women in senior and executive positions in South Africa. Additionally, while the employment rate for women with tertiary qualifications in STEM fields has increased from 22.2% in 2014, it has only increased by a paltry 7% to 29.6% in…

AI startup Perplexity said it made a formal offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser for $34.5 billion (R621bn), in anticipation of requirements that may be imposed on the search giant in antitrust proceedings. The unsolicited bid was sent to Alphabet’s Google on Tuesday morning, a Perplexity spokesperson said. It comes not long after rival artificial intelligence startup OpenAI also expressed interest in acquiring Chrome, which together with the open-source Chromium software is the main way people access the web on PCs. After a federal judge found last year that Google has an illegal monopoly in internet search, the US government has said it wants Google to sell the Chrome browser and license search data to competitors, among other proposed changes. US District Judge Amit Mehta, who heard the case, is…

The Pickup may have star power but even they can’t rescue this action comedy from falling flat. The Amazon Prime Video movie, which was released earlier this month, sees an assembly of Hollywood heavyweights. It features Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson as the leading stars but their jokes don’t quite land and the chemistry between the co-stars is far from electric. Then there is Keke Palmer whose performance as the film’s leading criminal mastermind is also unconvincing. Meanwhile, Eva Longoria, who plays Murphy’s wife Natalie Pierce – an erratic and colourful character – is the film’s most vibrant presence, though even her charm couldn’t mask its lack of spark. This illustrious line-up of diverse talents in different phases of their comedy careers promises viewers an enthralling adventure but the dull…

This August, Reverend Mawuzole Mlombi and his wife, Nandipha Mlombi, return to Mzansi screens on new reality show Nandi and The Rev. Murmurs on social media have been buzzing that the socialite and social media personality known as Queen Nandi is shooting a reality show and now the cat is out of the bag. Mawuzole and his wife Nandipha were once celebrated as the stars of the pulpit, their outwardly perfect life was destroyed when they lost their home and sense of stability. Now, with their marriage under duress and their children’s trust hanging in the balance, they face the tremendous task of repairing their lives while the public watches closely. Driven by Nandi’s fierce tenacity and Mawuzole’s battle for redemption, the series poses a heartfelt question: Can love, faith,…

Millions of illegal firearms are circulating in South Africa. This is in addition to the estimated 2.7 million legal firearms owned by private citizens, according to studies by Gun Free South Africa (GFSA). The high number of illegal firearms contributes to South Africa’s high rate of gun violence, where firearms are the weapon of choice in many crimes, including murder. In the first six months of the most recent reported period, over 12 700 people were killed, averaging 70 murders per day. The illegal firearms trade is a serious concern, with some estimates suggesting there is one illegal firearm for every legal firearm. Civil society groups are calling for amendments to the Firearms Control Act to address the issue. Now Rise Mzansi has warned that an estimated the millions of…

Transnet’s Phelophepa mobile healthcare train brought joy to many residents in need of health services in the City of Tshwane during its launch at the Eerste Fabriek train station in Mamelodi yesterday. Residents went the extra mile to access the train’s healthcare services, with many arriving at the train station the night before the launch to secure a spot. Helen Kobe, a Skierlik resident in Mamelodi, braved the night queue at the train station. “I arrived yesterday at 8pm to book a space because there are so many people looking for health services. I had to sleep here because when you come in the morning, you might not make it to the front,” she said. Palesa Poto, another resident, visited the train station for dental services and believes the train’s…

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has been stopped from impounding advertising material affixed across the city over by-law violations due to its weak and non-existent systems, allowing a free-for-all. The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, on Friday declared the JMPD’s actions in impounding equipment used to affix advertising material for advertising time and delivering such equipment to the municipal pound were unlawful. Additionally, the high court interdicted the metro police and the municipality from using their impoundment powers as enforcement for compliance with the Outdoor Advertising By-laws 2009 on two companies – Van Till Outdoor and Double Option Trading. The two firms hauled the municipality and the JMPD to court following a February 2023 incident in Sandton, where JMPD officers impounded a vehicle, stepladders, and an advertising banner due to…

ActionSA has announced that it will not formally participate in the upcoming National Dialogue Convention, citing unresolved concerns over the process and the legality of its funding. The party revealed it will instead send two senior Members of Parliament, Dr Kgosi Letlape and Lerato Ngobeni, to attend in an observation capacity only. IOL previously reported that several legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, WDB Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group, withdrew from the dialogue last Friday. In a joint statement issued on Friday, the group said the decision was made with “deep regret” but was necessary to protect the process’s credibility and integrity. They accused the organisers of shifting the initiative…

A brazen overnight theft at the FOMO Fine Art Gallery in Pringle Bay has stripped the space of seven sculptures worth more than R1million and left an even greater sentimental wound. The stolen works, by celebrated South African artists Anton Smit and Janko de Beer, are not only of significant financial value but also irreplaceable cultural treasures. “The theft took place during the night of Tuesday, 5 August or the early hours of Wednesday, 6 August. I was at the gallery until early Tuesday evening and returned at around 09:00 on Wednesday morning, when I immediately noticed that several sculptures were missing and one of our security cameras had been broken,” said de Beer, co-owner of the gallery and a celebrated visual artist and sculptor. “Later, we also discovered that…

There is a great deal of anticipation surrounding the new-generation Toyota Hilux, and it is coming closer to fruition, with recent spy shots as well as leaked brochure pages and patent images all giving us a good idea of what to expect. Numerous sources abroad suggest the new bakkie could be unveiled internationally before the end of 2025, and although its local introduction remains unconfirmed, there is a good chance that we’ll see it before the end of 2026. What appear to be legitimate patent images have leaked onto the internet courtesy of @Cars_Secrets on Instagram, correlating with recent brochure scans and spy shots of disguised prototypes. However, these all suggest that the 2026 Hilux is more of a comprehensive update than an all-new model. The use of the current…

The eThekwini Municipality in Durban is facing a severe crisis due to an escalating shortage of burial space. All 66 municipal cemeteries in the city reached full capacity in 2020, driven by rapid urbanisation, historical mortality surges, and a strong cultural and religious preference for burial over cremation. The influx of immigration and business development nationally has posed a major problem for urban areas throughout South Africa, where city residents, especially in Durban and Johannesburg, have limited and/or no burial spaces for their deceased loved ones. This shortage has led to ‘undignified practices’, such as grave re-usage, a pervasive lack of maintenance, and alleged instances of bribery for gravesite acquisition. These issues undermine citizens’ constitutional right to a dignified interment according to their beliefs and have profound societal implications, affecting…

The fourth edition of the country’s biggest T20 winter club cricket competition, the Jozi Cup, drew to a close this week. More than 130 teams competed throughout the seven-week tournament, and whether you were in Under-11s, in the Over-40s or featured somewhere in between, there was something for everyone – on field and off, from first ball to final over. Perhaps the greatest privilege of participating in this tournament is the opportunity to perform on the world stage of the iconic DP World Wanderers Stadium. With the finals running from June 14-22, players, coaches and managers enjoyed full use of the world-class facilities, including change rooms, fields, nets and the Media Centre. Exposing players to the very best results in exponential growth certainly gives clubs the edge, says Jozi Cup…